I have written many times about the writing process and how you may want to create and stick to yours.

The first step of the process is brainstorming. That’s where you think about ideas and how to get your ideas to the page.

When writing, usually one follows the process and develops a routine which may include time and location to write.

Like I have stated before, if you don’t treat your writing seriously, then no one else will either.

So, you may have a certain time that you write, and you may have a favorite room, or place to get your words committed to the page.

Do you have a set location and time to brainstorm?

Sounds weird, but it’s a valid question.

Some writers call it a brainstorming session while others may label the session as daydreaming. When the daydreaming label is applied, then it may sound as if the writer is loafing, is taking a breather, or is being lazy.

Here is another one: the writer may be collecting his thoughts, and preparing to write his rough draft. When it’s used in that context, then it may appear that the writer is serious about his craft. I’ll let you in on a secret: in the first three scenarios, the writer is also collecting his thoughts, but he is collecting his thoughts in a different way.

A writer shouldn’t have to apologize for brainstorming. After all, it’s OK for musicians to work on music by pounding out rhythms, creating melodies, or playing chord progressions. When musicians have a jam session, it may be to work on new material or polish old material.

If you are an aspiring writer, don’t be afraid to brainstorm. I love brainstorming. My ideas come to me at different times, so I will either type my ideas into my phone or write my ideas down on a sheet of paper or a 4-by-6 index card. I don’t know why I choose a 4-by-6 index card. It seems that size best fits for my situation. It may also be that I try to fit a lot of ideas or when I get an idea, I may try to flesh it out.

Sometimes ideas are just simple ideas, and they may turn out to be nothing — just words.

I always brainstorm before writing this column. It’s fun and I like it. Here’s my favorite part. I will be brainstorming about one idea when another idea comes to me, and I end up writing about the second idea, but keeping the first idea in reserve. I have done that several times. In fact, the idea for what I have written about today was in reserve. You may want to keep an idea journal.

I don’t have a set location to daydream or do I have a set time. And I am OK with it. Because I have been writing for practically my whole adult life, I have found out that I do not need a set time or location. My brainstorming mode doesn’t turn off. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Now, do I get ideas coming to me all the 24-7, no, I don’t. And I wouldn’t want that either because I don’t think I would ever get any writing completed. I know when to go to the well and when not to. Events of the day also may trigger some brainstorming.

You hear a word, or see an act of kindness and you may want to write about that. The word you heard may trigger a childhood memory or you may want to chronicle the act of kindness. These are your interpretations when you brainstorm. They are your ideas, and it’s OK to put a different spin on the events. You witnessed the events, so they are yours to write about. Sometimes art imitates real life and vice versa.

But the bottom line is brainstorming can be done anywhere and you should have fun during your session.

It’s that hard.

It’s that easy.